Our View: Alexandria metro area wisely gets 'in the pink"

Sep. 27, 2010

Written by

editorialboard@thetowntalk.com

No business ever aspires to operate "in the red," not for any length of time. But "in the pink?" That's another matter.

You'll see lots of healthy-minded "in the pink" businesses this week and throughout the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Healthy local businesses and other organizations will be doing their part to call attention to breast cancer and its effects on patients, families, friends and communities.

Among those businesses is Capital One Bank in Alexandria. Starting at 7 p.m. this evening, the bank will light its downtown building in pink to show its support for the cause and the Race for the Cure. The bank, the event's presenting local sponsor, will make its colorful statement tonight to officially start "Pink Out Cenla" and will continue to do so through race day. For the first time, on Oct. 16, the race is officially coming to the city.

Other events include the release of pink and white balloons this Friday at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, which is presenting the inaugural race with partner Hixson Autoplex.

Along with the balloon release, roses will be given to breast cancer survivors, helpful information will be shared and refreshments will be served. It will take place at the Prescott Road entrance to the hospital's new Women's & Children's Hospital.

As the presenting media sponsor, The Town Talk is happy to help call attention to such events. We, too, are part of the efforts to "Paint the Town Pink" in support of the race and the important efforts underneath it.

Those efforts are most notably linked to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the foundation in Dallas, Texas, that, since 1982, has invested more than $1.5 billion in research, education and health services related to breast cancer.

Its annual Race for the Cure, a nationwide tradition, highlights its mission: to end breast cancer forever.

This has particular relevance to Louisiana. The mortality rate for breast cancer in the Bayou State is among the nation's highest, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Awareness is essential -- of the disease, of the environmental factors that contribute to it, and of the family histories and genetic markers that can provide a vital early warning.